(Courtesy Barrington Golf Club)
No. 5, Barrington Golf Club
PAR 5 – 492 YARDS
There is trouble out of bounds on the right and left on the slightly uphill tee shot, but the real challenge comes on the second shot. A pond fronting the entire green and two large bunkers behind force a pick-your-poison decision.
“Perhaps I’m a bit biased because this is where I recorded my first and only eagle, draining a 90-foot putt to do it, but this hole on the Jack Nicklaus-designed course is among the best in Northeast Ohio. Water on the drive and approach can make things tricky, but a wide-open, pristine fairway gives you a chance to reach a tighter green in two with a strong second shot.” — Nick Camino, WKYC Channel 3 sports anchor
No. 18, Westwood Country Club
PAR 4 – 390 YARDS
The closing par 4 demands that a tee shot avoid trees right off the tee and a large growth of mature pines and hardwoods on the left. The fairway ends with a steep dropoff. Deep bunkers left punish approach shots short of the green.
“I like to play late in the day. Typically, you’re teeing off right into the setting sun, so I need my boys to watch the tee ball. Typically, there’s a few people hanging around watching you finish, so the pressure is on. I’m not good enough for people to trust that I won’t skull my approach shot right at them.” — Kevin Stefanski, Cleveland Browns head coach
(Courtesy StoneWater Golf Club)
No. 4, StoneWater Golf Club
PAR 5 – 559 YARDS
Precision off the tee is essential. The ideal second shot is played short of the creek in front of the green, setting up the preferred angle from the right side for the approach. Beware the subtle undulations on the green.
“I’ve always had a soft spot for Hole 4 because it perfectly captures the essence of risk and reward. For the bigger hitters, it offers a tempting chance to go for eagle, daring them to reach the green in two. Yet, for the more reserved players, it sets up beautifully as a classic three-shot par 5. It’s a hole that keeps players coming back, eager to test their limits or stick to their steady game.” — Bryan Huff, StoneWater Golf Club head professional
No. 9, Clearview Golf Club
PAR 4 – 398 YARDS
Clearview’s No. 1 handicap hole makes a sharp dogleg right. The ball crosses a stream in an ‘S’ shape, and an oak tree about 50 yards from the green blocks the second shot, forcing a decision to bail out or go for it.
“The ball has to cross over the stream three times, actually. It’s one of the last holes my dad (William Powell) did when he changed a few. I remember asking him, ‘Dad, where’s this hole going?’ and he goes, ‘Just wait.’ That made a big impression in my mind.” — Renee Powell, Clearview Golf Club head professional, the second Black woman to play on the LPGA Tour and PGA of America Hall of Famer
(Courtesy Sand Ridge Golf Club)
No. 16, Sand Ridge Golf Club
PAR 4 – 350 YARDS (Fazio tee)
A dramatic cape hole. Fraught with hazards; the second shot will require pinpoint accuracy.
“On Sand Ridge’s signature hole, Tom Fazio blended a combination of water, sand and rolling hills to frame each shot. It comes at a perfect time in the round, where umpteen matches have been decided over the years. A classic risk/reward short par 4 with multiple hazards coming into play on both tee shot and approach. The green is huge and difficult, so lots of people hit it. But it only gets tougher from there. I could play this hole over and over and have a different experience each time.” — Brian Windhorst, ESPN NBA reporter, host of the “Hoop Collective” podcast
No. 14, Windmill Lakes Golf Club
PAR 3 – 191 YARDS
A big green with a large hill on the left portion is entirely visible from the tee box. The green slopes from back to front and is guarded by three bunkers.
“I played this countless times while I was at Kent State University with my teammates. It requires a mid-iron or a controlled shot with good hands, as it’s all about positioning to the green. If you hit a great shot, you’ll be rewarded with a shortcut to the hole, but if not, you’re looking at a tough up-and-down with a lot of challenge. It’s a hole that really tests your skill and strategy.” — Ben Curtis, retired PGA Tour golfer, winner of the 2003 Open Championship
No. 9, Ridgewood Golf Course
PAR 4 – 342 YARDS
Stars such as Ben Hogan, Arnold Palmer and Babe Zaharias played the historic course and surely learned how difficult this par 4 is, with a creek in front of a difficult green that slopes away at a 20-degree angle.
“No. 9 at Parma-owned Ridgewood Golf Course, which celebrates its 100th year on July 4, is a par 4 that is fun and inviting to score a birdie. The fairway is wide open, but do not hit too far off the tee and end up in the creek that crosses in front of the green. With our new event center and clubhouse, which is under construction and sits above this hole, it will become the 18th. Perfect ending to a round of golf and to finish off with a cold one at the new facility.” — Tim DeGeeter, Parma mayor
No. 1, Highland Park Golf Course Red Course
PAR 4 – 390 YARDS
Players can only see about 150 yards before the fairway slopes down toward the green, making a large pine tree the aiming spot for tee shots. A bunker to the right of the green rarely comes into play. Highland Park’s greens are on the larger side compared to other Northeast Ohio courses.
“I’m a huge fan of Highland Park; it’s a nearly 100-year-old, city-owned course with historical significance dating back several decades — hosting the Cleveland Open, the inaugural PGA Minority Collegiate Championship and several legendary golfers. I love the first hole on the Red Course because it’s a straight, long hole with only one bunker off to the right and a nice, long green that’s very forgiving. It’s a very good warm-up hole for a very bad golfer like myself.” — Justin Bibb, Cleveland mayor
No. 11, Medina Country Club
PAR 3 – 135 YARDS
With about 125 yards to clear the water and a bunker on the right of the green, players must hit a little longer to be safe. Short and left, and the ball will roll into the water; short and right, and it will roll into the fairway.
“No. 11 on my home course is a nice par 3 over water to a green that does not have a very forgiving front if you leave it short. The right side is protected by a bunker, and long is no good, since you are chipping to a downhill green with the water in play if you hit too far. It’s the No. 18 handicap hole, and a par is a great score.” — Bill Wills, WTAM 1100 radio talk show host
(Courtesy Westfield Country Club)
No. 14, Westfield Country Club North Course
PAR 5 – 552 YARDS
A par 5 that rewards placement and strong wedge play. While the green is more accessible from approach shots on the left side, the large timber-walled bunker protecting the middle of the green forces golfers to select a side.
“The course is filled with good memories for me. No. 14 can be a bit of a challenging par 5, but when you get to the green, the view is an amazing reward. From the elevated green, you can see the entire course, offering a stunning and picturesque view, which makes it my favorite.” — Elizabeth Coleman, Highland High School junior, tied for second in the 2024-25 Ohio High School girls Division I state championship
No. 9, Ohio Prestwick Country Club
PAR 3 – 169 YARDS
A beautiful par 3 over water to a large green has plenty of undulation from back to front and right to left. It is 125 yards from the forward tees and stretches out to 200 yards from the championship tees. The right side and short left are protected with large bunkers.
“Well-guarded by bunkers and a pond short of the green, I think it is a great par 3 that can play easy with a front pin and very difficult with a back pin. The site of my first ever hole-in-one (in April 2019; he now has eight). I am excited to play that hole every time I get to the tee.” — Maxwell Moldovan, Green High School and Ohio State University graduate, plays on the PGA Tour Americas
(Courtesy Cleveland Metroparks)
No. 13, Big Met Golf Course
PAR 5 – 487 YARDS
A gentle dogleg left nestled in the scenic, forested southeast corner of the course, running parallel to the Rocky River.
“It’s a hole that rewards a great tee shot, especially if you can shape the ball right to left, giving you a chance to reach the green in two. The wide fairway offers plenty of options for the second shot, but be cautious — there’s little room behind the green before the Rocky River. Enjoy this accessible, classic Stanley Thompson design.” — Brian M. Zimmerman, Cleveland Metroparks CEO
No. 18, Canton Brookside Country Club
PAR 5 – 529 YARDS
On the severely uphill hole layout, an ideal tee shot is to the right of the fairway bunkers on the left side. Longer hitters might have a chance to go for the green in two. Lay-up yardages to avoid the bunkers and the hole location are key.
“The gorgeous hole 18 is an amazing finishing hole. In the Nolan Belden Invitational, my junior year, I hit a good drive in the left center of the fairway, leaving me with 220 yards in. It was uphill and downwind, so I knew it would offset, which propelled me to hit 4-iron to 30 feet. I ended up draining the putt for eagle to win. It was our home high school event, too, so it felt even better.” — Chris Pollak, Archbishop Hoban High School senior, won the 2024 OHSAA Division I state championship
No. 10, The Kirtland Country Club
PAR 4 – 459 YARDS
The hole plunges nearly 100 feet from tee to fairway, making it one of the best views in Ohio and a popular spot for weddings on the tee box. A generous fairway has penalty areas right and left. An approach shot that carries the cross bunker can run up to the green.
“The 10th at Kirtland is a beautiful hole on the East Side of Cleveland. The tee shot takes forever to come down as you look out over the valley. Then, once you get to the green, it’s putting time … not easy. I love the challenge.” – Austin Carr, Cleveland Cavaliers television contributor and ambassador
No. 18, Little Mountain Country Club
PAR 4 (MEN), PAR 5 (WOMEN) – 481 YARDS
On this par 4/5, long hitters can drive it to the bottom of the hill, but most will have a long iron or fairway wood from the top into a massive green guarded by huge bunkers in the front.
“This is going to sound a little biased, but one of my favorite holes in Northeast Ohio is No. 18 at Little Mountain. It’s a difficult par 4 with some risk/reward but has plenty of room to bail out if you want to play it safe. I’ve seen many matches and tournaments decided on the choice of what to do on the approach shot because short in the bunkers is major trouble, and you can’t pull it left.” — Jimmy Hanlin, TV host, owns and directs StoneWater Golf Club and Little Mountain County Club
No. 16, Firestone Country Club South Course
PAR 5 – 667 YARDS
A pond in front of the green captures its share of errant shots. Usually, the casualties aren’t the result of futile attempts to reach the green in two; they are third shots from errant tee shots. A wellplaced long tee shot does not guarantee the opportunity to go for two.
“No. 16 is more than just a challenge — it’s a true test of skill and nerves. Known for its water hazard and breathtaking views, this par 5 has seen some of the most intense moments in golf history. The stone bridge is dedicated to Arnold Palmer, who gave this hole its nickname, the Green Monster. Whether you are teeing off or watching from the stands at the Kaulig Companies Championship (June 18-22), there is no denying the thrill of this legendary hole.” — Matt Kaulig, Kaulig Companies executive chairman
No. 18, Sweetbriar Golf Club Legacy 18
PAR 4 – 432 YARDS
Bunkers line the entire right side, and there is out-of-bounds on the left, making it a tight driving hole. A bunker fronting the green also makes for a difficult second shot.
“It’s where I broke 80 for the first time last summer. I knew I needed a birdie to card a 79. After a long drive found the bunker, I managed to escape and set up an 11-foot birdie putt. As the sun set on a perfect September evening, I sank the putt with my best buddy — who I started golfing with seven years ago — watching beside me. It was a moment I’ll never forget.” — Jared Youtzy, Cleveland chapter of the Mediocre Golf Association
(Courtesy Valley of the Eagles Golf Club)
No. 18, Valley of the Eagles Golf Club
PAR 5 – 569 YARDS
The course’s No. 1 handicap hole requires players to carry a creek 261 yards from the tee, making club selection and wind conditions critical. The second shot presents another choice — lay up, or take on the Black River, which guards the green. The green features a significant ridge.
“The course is a Jack Nicklaus design with majestic scenery that has been featured in Golfweek’s Best. The playability and aesthetics of the facility and course are why it’s one of my favorites. No. 18 is a risk/reward hole where you have to carry water twice. I also have eagled this jewel of a hole.” — Tiana Jones, an Akron native, member of the PGA Education faculty at PGA of America headquarters in Frisco, Texas
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